IDEX 2009 : Kaya Mine Protected Vehicle rolls into IDEX

The new Turkish Kaya Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV), which has been developed as a private venture by Otokar, is being exhibited for the first time at IDEX and is aimed at the export markets.

Development of the Kaya MPV started three years ago and is now said to be complete, with production to commence as soon as orders are placed. During the design, mine blasts were simulated by special software and these were followed by tests on the actual vehicle that confirmed the design parameters.

Kaya MPV is based on a Mercedes-Benz U5000 (4x4) Unimog chassis, which has a high level of cross-country mobility and for which spare parts are available worldwide through a well-established dealer network. It has a gross vehicle weight of 12.5 tonnes.

While some MPVs have a one-piece hull design, the Kaya has two: one for the driver and commander behind the engine compartment, and the second for the troop compartment, which extends to the rear. The latter has firing ports, roof hatches, and the 10 troops can rapidly enter and leave the vehicle via one door in the rear. Bullet-proof windows are standard and the troop compartment has appliqué armour.

Although the first Kaya is in the troop carrying version, its design is flexible, which allows it to be easily adapted for a wide range of roles and missions such as ambulance and command post vehicle.In addition to the baseline Kaya in the APC role, Otokar has also developed, to the prototype stage, a mine protected cargo carrier. This retains the fully protected two-person cab for the commander and driver, but to the rear is a flatbed unprotected cargo area, which can be fitted with drop sides and a tailgate.

Kaya is the latest in a long line of armoured vehicles designed, developed and manufactured by Otokar (Hall 10, Stand B40). They include the Cobra multirole armoured vehicle (also being shown at IDEX), as well as a range of lighter protected vehicles based on a Land Rover chassis, including the Akrep (Scorpion) light reconnaissance vehicle.

Posted in: Armoured Vehicles,IDEX,Turkey